Report of drinking in park leads to DWI arrest

A report that children and adults were swimming below the dam at Shepherd Island State Park on Sunday resulted in the arrest of the man who made the call after deputies determined he was intoxicated.

A report that children and adults were swimming below the dam at Shepherd Island State Park on Sunday resulted in the arrest of the man who made the call after deputies determined he was intoxicated.

Edward Stephens, 60, was taken into custody by Deputy Rick Conyers after Conyers and other officers went to the park, Deputy Prosecutor Bryan Achorn said during a court hearing Tuesday.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Jennifer Carr reported that Conyers was contacted by sheriff’s dispatchers and given a number to call, and when Conyers called the number, was told that people were also possibly drinking.

Achorn said that when Conyers, officers from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Corps of Engineers were checking the area, a vehicle driven by Stephens pulled up, and officers reported that Stephens “appeared to be intoxicated.”

Carr reported that Stephens admitted that he “had been drinking,” and he was placed under arrest after a records check indicated Stephens’ driver’s license was suspended because of DWI.

Conyers administered three field sobriety tests to Stephens at the scene, and reported that he “didn’t do so well” on them, and during a search of Stephens’ vehicle, officers found a .22-caliber rifle behind the driver’s seat.

Achorn said Stephens is a convicted felon and had previously been convicted of three DWIs.

Carr reported that Stephens was taken to the adult detention center where a breath alcohol test was performed, and Stephens registered a .168. A reading of .08 and above is considered legally intoxicated.

Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set a $25,000 bond for Stephens after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge him with fourth-offense DWI, a felony, driving on a suspended driver’s license and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Bridgforth appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent Stephens, and told him to come back to court July 17.